English

Me design of a fuzzy rule-based controller for the mixing-box of an air-handling unit is used to demonstrate how data obtained by computer simulation can be used to generate the rules. The controller uses measurements of the return and fresh air temperatures, together with the pressure drops across the dampers, to calculate values for the actuator control signals which determine the position of the dampers. The paper explains the methods used to generate the rules, discusses the choice of fuzzy reference sets and describes the approach used to produce suitable training data.

If the information generated through building simulations is to reach and influence building and design professionals it is necessary to present it in an accessible format. Most simulation programs are not sufficiently friendly for use by those who do not have specialised training. The processes involved in obtaining the information do not sufficiently reflect the usual methods of accessing information employed by designers. Many aspects of the Macintosh-based HyperCard make it well suited to the project-based contextual nature of the design process.

This paper describes ongoing research toward the development of simplified techniques for the prediction of air movement in large, naturally ventilated spaces containing hot and/or cold surfaces. Me situation where two distinct sources of heat are present on the floor of a naturally ventilated room is discussed Thermal stratification develops such that two layers of warm air form above a lower layer at ambient temperature. The heights and temperatures of these layers are predicted using forced plume theory, ie.

Assessments of the applicability of equipment or the benefits of conservation measures within a buildingsector are frequent done using energy simulations of prototypical buildings with average physical and operational characteristics. Because of the large variations in size, hours of operations, energy-use intensity, and fuel-electric ratios even among buildings of the same type, vintage, and location, such an analysis risks the danger of missing "niche" markets for strategies such as cogeneration that may be attractive only under specialized conditions.

The Energy Kernel System is an advanced machine environment intended to foster the collaborative development of the next generation of performance assessment programs. Firstly, the overall system architecture and the role of the underlying object oriented database is described and some of the underlying technology issues briefly mentioned. Then the principal classes, the methodology used to identify them and their construction and organisation is addressed. Finally the internal mode of operation of the EKS and the steps required to define a program of specified functionality are detailed.

The prediction of the effects of moisture in buildings is now a well established part of the building design process. A significant international effort is taking place to develop combined heat and mass transfer models which will enable the thermal and hygric performance of building envelopes to be more accurately assessed. However, the universal solution of the defining equations requires the separation of the total moisture flow into its liquid and vapour components for any specified set of humidity conditions.

This paper discusses the creation of standard weather data files covering the whole of New Zealand. As part of this process we describe the development of a method for selecting extreme weeks of data. This provides the simulationist with a set of weather patterns which test a building's performance under the one-percentile most demanding conditions to be found at a particular location.

The aim of this paper is to describe the work currently under way at CSTB in the frame of the project 'Intelligent Sitnulation Environments'. The paper presents the underlying concepts of this project and then discusses the main features qf an ISE (data sharing, coupling of simulation tools, reasoning facilities, model documentation and graphical front-end). Special emphasis is put on the model documentation with a proposal of a Standard Model Documentation which would combine the advantages of the existing Proforma and Neutral Model Format.

The RADIANCE lighting simulation system was used to evaluate the daylighting inside four major buildings being constructed and refitted in New Zealand. This paper describes the utility and useability of such a simulation system for large projects of this nature. The ability to create many virtual snapshots of design alternatives and compare them both visually and numerically is explored, as are the problems Architects will find with describing a model to a simulation system of such complexity.

This paper describes a number of issues which building modelling must take into account if it is! to he used as a tool in government policy making and regulatory frameworks. It points to, the importance of empirically verifying data inputs and model output to ensure credible results and demonstrates the importance of considering both envelope and plant characteristics, even for residential buildings. Capital costs and running cost are demonstrated to be equally important in policy making decisions.